Rumination is problematic over-thinking about life events or situations. Like when you can’t stop thinking about that problem at work or a recent conflict in your relationship. Ruminating can lead to emotional or behavioral problems such as depression, anxiety, binge eating, and excessive use of alcohol or other drugs. It creates a vicious cycle: worrying leads to more worrying. The more you ruminate, the more likely you are to interpret a situation negatively, and the more hopeless the situation seems to become. Rumination is unhelpful and unproductive and can leave you feeling helpless. 
 
People ruminate due to stress. With the availability of technology, the gap between work life and home life is shrinking. This increased demand on personal time can cause a lot of stress as you juggle multiple roles and concerns.  Work. School. Family. Household Responsibilities. Diet. Activities. Money. Sometimes you may find these roles are in direct conflict with one another.  Juggling should be a subject everyone is taught in school. 
 
Interestingly, research has shown that juggling can actually help to relieve stress. It helps build gray matter in the occipito-temporal areas of the brain which are responsible for visual motion information processing. Additionally, juggling increases white matter areas associated with reaching, grasping, and peripheral vision. Because it requires intense focus, juggling can help improve your ability to concentrate. It can also improve your hand-eye coordination.

One of the best strategies for stopping rumination is distraction. So, if you find yourself worrying too much about your problems, grab a few tennis balls and give it a try! While you’re learning to juggle, see how difficult it is to think about anything else.

Stress can't be prevented, but it can be managed effectively. Start by learning how to spot the signs and symptoms of stress. Reach out to friends and family members for support. Learn breathing techniques which support relaxation. Seek support from your spiritual community. You can also work with a mental health professional to develop other ways to cope with your stress. 

Don't ignore the signs of stress overload! Uncontrolled stress can lead to serious health problems including high blood pressure. If you are having difficulty managing your stress, it could indicate an underlying depression or anxiety disorder.  If stress is affecting your ability to work or find pleasure in life, seek help immediately from a doctor or qualified mental health provider.